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Chapter 9: Voicing hearts, love and resolve

Folding their wings after hours of flight in the night, the three moons now high in the sky though none are full, a pair of heartful seawings can finally reach the river they long for. And always true to herself, the one bearing purple scale is first to use the full extent of her talons, an attitude that allows her to no longer bear her satchel when the prince has just arrived.

- "You could have slowed down that hurried pace Indigo, this isn't some kind of race remember?" Says Fathom before catching his breath, his back, wings and tail stretching as he takes off his own set of belongings.

- "I do remember that dear Fathom, but you know how our kind is. If you have the thirst and the power to embrace the water…"

- "You will do it wholeheartedly… But may you at least fully share that moment with me?"

Not waiting not to fully face him, the young dragoness steps in to bridge the gap as her wings open, her snout grinning fainting. And as her lover begins to sigh in relief, his own body free while he glances at the flowing water, the royal guard smiles further.

- "Yes I will." She says as the two lean toward the exposed edge, the river's constant sound a soothing one resonating through a land nearing mountains.

- "That's… actually nice to hear after all this time." Fathom says before stepping in the water, the march of his purple companion neither hurried nor hesitant.

At first feeling the river's coldness, the green dragon grows to like the place just as he first saw it, its depth more than sufficient for he and his mate as they begin to swim, their wings and tail encountering no more hardship than in his the air. However, the prince does catch the unexpected reaction of his follower, a talon moving a slower, twitching…

- "So… it seems you like the water more than I do for once." Indigo finally admits, her gaze one of annoyance and defeat as she moves little.

- "Indeed, which is odd since between us, you were the one most eager to reach this river… I mean, you are not feeling hurt, are you?" The young seawing responds as his finned body is quick to shift the dance.

- "I'm just… feeling a little startled due to the water being cold and my wounded paw, that's all."

- "…"

"It is not often that you acknowledge your vulnerabilities…" Mutters fathom as he looks up toward the moons and stars, feeling proud in a way. However, the purple dragoness is not one to let him have the last word, her tail almost lashing behind.

- "And you acknowledged your own far too much, which made you quite an easy dragon to exploit. Hopefully time has passed and we can start the happy life we deserve. One far, very far from ignorant and disrespectful tribes when we want it to."

- "You are lucky none of my subjects are here to listen, because if they were, they would get the wrong idea."

"Just imagine if the queen heard of such rumours... I can only fear the punishment my sister would come up with should she think I broke my oath." Replies in slight fear the prince before chuckling, his eyes no longer staring at the night sky but looking into her own, his wing gently coming for her.

- "Your sister can come up with all kinds of twisted fates for me, I'll never let her caught us!" His mate declares, her wings firmly unfolding through the river as she faces the young Fathom with no doubt in her eyes.

Not even calling her queen? I guess you do share a trait with him after all... Though I shouldn't be surprised that after everything that happened since we left the our queendom, your resolve could only bring you closer to me above all else. And I… can not really regret that.

"But enough about me, how about we simply enjoy the place and rest?" Before we resume our journey which I'm sure you'll complain about, passed a few hours…

Simply nodding, Fathom leans further in the river, followed by his partner and no one else excepts the wind's presence. It is true that the mission he chose weights on him, the clouds covering Agate Mountain being somewhat visible in the night as a taunting echo, that he can not deny. But now is not the time to soar and fly by fear of the world ending, so never straying far from his partner, the prince does his best not to worry.

And now following him with ease, Indigo finally lets her eyes wander around, trusting her beloved as she sees him swim serenely, doubtlessly. My dear Fathom, if only our future remained like that… She thinks to herself as she remembers of the past, of a time years ago, then another, and another. Even looking at a few marking memories, the purple dragoness must admit her life is so unlike a normal one, a fact that would not change even she was not of the seawings.

But it is one that she chose through her numerous acts of defiance and will, with time as her heart never stopped to beat for the lonely, cursed prince. And looking back at it, never in her life has another dragon been so close to her, has done so much for while she did so much for in return. Should she ever separate from the young animus, she would have to almost start a relationship from scratch, she would have to start a new life no matter what, she finally concludes.

Looking at the bigger shape of the troubled mountain, then at the moons reigning over the sky, it is with a new thought in mind that the royal guard stands at Fathom's side.

So be it, whatever path you choose tonight and tomorrow my prince, we shall see the end of it, together...

…

With the moons higher in the sky, the night kingdom is more than awake as the nightwings walk and fly, often to answer numerous duties of all kinds. Though the ambience stays peculiar around the queen's palace, the surrounding both silent and screaming at times. Yet in spite of it all, more than a few already realized that, and among them are those planing for it with varying degrees of success…

Marching at a slightly faster pace is a proud family, with the leading mother heading for a place neither too far from the capital's core nor too close from the still glorious palace. With all them carrying almost empty bags, it is clear the group is spending their time in a mostly calm way, the night city's markets even being reduced due to the tribe's recent situation.

- "Are we even sure to find something truly worthwhile in the Lunaris marketplace? Or are some desperately trying to evade financial duties for the tribe and the crown?"

- "Shadedtail, if one was distrustful enough of our tribe and had some real wealth to spare, they would send it to edge of the queendom if not beyond." Replies Soberclaw with a shake of her wing, her eyes glancing just once at the balcony of someone who cared a bit too much for eye catching flowers, a passion the young hybrid seems to understand greatly.

- "I do remember you both talking about that, though there is something I want to know… Mother, father, have you ever tried to do that even once? I promise I'll keep it a secret."

To his son's question, the older dragon seems uneasy, his gaze fleeing that of children before a light chuckle escape his snout.

- "I did more than fourteen years ago, when I was starting my business with little more than crude tools, a polished metal chunk and my own, somewhat brutish strength."

"I'll never say it enough, but that was a harsh time. Which is why I understand how some dragons might behave when crown's agents are nowhere close, even if some still disgust me." He adds as the mother remains silent, though her gaze seems quite the judging one before she sights.

- "I hope you don't plan to break our tribe's laws now my dear Shadedtail. Because we would be in quite a disgraceful mess when others find out about what you did."

- "I assure you I'm not reckless enough to break the laws for such concerns. I am a lover and a father first, I won't be one take any kind of decisions that I foresee would harm any of you." Replies the father while the gaze of all are on him, his own facing each of the three dragons doubtlessly.

- "I understand, but let's return to something more… joyful shall we? How many mooncoins do you think we'll spend this time?"

- "Hopefully naught if there is nothing worthy of our coming." The older nightwing answers to the mild regret of his son, pushing his mate to think a little more.

- "Now that is not really a good mindset to have. I agree many goods are overpriced in the marketplace, but that is not an excuse to stop seeing the opportunities you have there."

- "Yes, but I hardly believe what our tribe mates and a few courageous others can offer us something that will satisfy us in such a time."

- "It is not so much about finding a hidden treasure than it is about finding something that will make the time we spend together worth it." Says the mother with renewed confidence, her stance a guiding one that the younger ones are happy to follow...

Arriving at the Lunaris marketplace, the family is not too surprised with what they see, with only a few courageous dragons remaining in that spot of the capital to hopefully sell what they have tonight. Though the father must admit that such individuals know how to be content in their own way, a detail that truly takes effect on everyone.

Moving forward with risen wings, Soberclaw waits not to encounter the first seller and his set of rusty tools. Blinking then looking at all that belongs to the rather young tribe mate, the mother and her family are greeted by a strangely joyful voice.

- "Please, come and look as long as you want. My name is Coalclaw and I'm here to help you."

- "Hello Coalclaw, my name is Soberclaw. Here is my mate Shadedtail, and just at his side are Thoughtful and Whiteout respectively." She answers answers quite eagerly as her black wing extends to reach even the furthest of the children.

"Though if I may, what is for sale exactly?"

Getting the gazes of all on him, the vendor begins to shake a little before the old dragoness, his claw rubbing the carpet.

- "What I sell are tools that have served me and other well. They might be rusty, but they're still useful for building and I'm not one to charge much of a price."

- "You really think you'll get someone to buy one of these? Sorry for voicing my thoughts…"

To Soberclaw's words, Coalclaw stays nervously silent for a moment, his gaze jumping almost erratically before it finally sets on the father.

- "Well, maybe someone else can see worth in these items… I mean, you can grab and test them if you want, these tools have already gone through a lot after all…"

- "Then maybe I can try…"

Looking over the ranks of used tools of all kinds, though it is clear they have mostly served to build structure worthy of housing dragons, the son chooses a long one, quite thin but probably able take a good hit judging by how its weight is immediately felt. And seeing him swing the rod around, confusion fades as the father grins unlike his mother while Whiteout remains oddly focused, as if the long tool and the talons that wield were a spectacle in themselves.

- "See, this one can still do its job as long as you're prepared."

- "And what is the cost?"Asks keenly Shadedtail, his gaze still a serious, almost judging one as he waits for his tribe mate's answer.

- "One mooncoin and four crescents."

- "…"

- "Do you think one and a half is a fair price Soberclaw?"

- "It depends if our son wants it enough mate… My child, do you think that tool is something you'll use once we return home?"

Halting in his movement, the partially rusted rod hitting the ground with a distinct noise, Thoughtful steps forward and puts back the item.

- "I don't think so." He answers to his mother then to Coalclaw, the vendor feeling disappointed but quickly regaining his warmer attitude.

- "I understand, not everyone has to buy something just because they grabbed it. Just know that I'll always be here." Says the young nightwing as he adopts a more relaxing position, his talons folding while he grabs a scroll and begins to unroll it, his snout bearing a faint grin.

- "I suppose we could always come back to you since you have some charm…"

"Well, if they are all as nice at the first, which is almost too naive of a thing to believe for me, they'll easily make up for the marketplace's emptiness. Any suggestion on who to meet next?" Says Soberclaw as she watches over the whole street, her mate staying quite close to her.

- "I don't know mate, but I find that skywing too odd not to be curious… Young Thoughtful, young Whiteout, do you want to meet that dragon first?"

Seeing no hint of protest on his children's face, the father heads for the skywing's spot among the rather quiet place and its lone fountain, the merchant of another tribe being surrounded by a solid if crude wooden roof covering lots bladed objects, all made to be everything but mock tools in a fight. Though despite the sight not putting the younger ones at ease, Shadedtail remains standing and observant while his mate does not flinch either, her booming voice the first to question the owner of it all.

Cielscale, such is the name of the facing skywing, her attitude rather serious but not stressed as she presents herself and her thought provoking goods. And not being bothered to play that game, the mother replies as expected, a behaviour that Whiteout and her lover still find unexpected. However, the time does come for the father to speak, and his colder, more honest voice is quick to end the dance.

- "So, not worried of the queen coming to your business Cielscale? A risky but effective way of attracting new customers I suppose?"

- "I am far from blind to your queendom if that's what you mean, I have sold weapons of war for more than a decade and I know how things work." Answers the dragons as larger wings rise, her talon firmly grabbing a spear she does not deigns to look at.

- "But why did you choose that path? Dragons hopefully don't sing with their claws and fangs all the time."

- "Perhaps… But no tribe, no dragon has forgotten they can. And the queen can complain all she wants, her subjects will always wield the sharpened blades if they want to, it is in our nature after all." Declares Cielscale as she stares at the snowy hybrid, her paw ordering the spear to stand tall on the ground and stay while the son gives her an odd look.

Somewhat impressed by the affirming attitude of the dragoness, Soberclaw turns to her lover, her gaze as questioning as his, before settling on the young hybrid who has yet to accept what was said. Extending a wing over her, it is with simple words that she announces the family's departure.

- "Well, thank you for your service Cielscale, but I do not think we'll buy anything."

- "I… That's not a problem, you can always come back if you want…" Replies the skywing seemingly dumbfounded at the group's sudden decision to leave, before she turns back, looking at her possessions then the sky above.

Marching through the paved routes of the street for a moment, Thoughtful keeps a wing over his beloved, acting silent and pensive over who and why such a merchant was, before the parents halt, now close to the grand fountain that occupies the center of the somewhat empty place.

- "I must admit, that skywing is weird, and surely not the best choice." Says the older dragoness, her gaze turning from the sandwing's stand to the young pair.

"Not too troubled young Whiteout? I promise I will do better next time." She adds while lowering her head, the son's close presence adding warmth for everyone.

- "No, mostly surprised by her words and… well the memories and dark shades they bring back."

"It's not your fault, you changed the thread quite quickly, it's just that I…"

Taking too long to fully voice her thoughts, nothing more is needed for the lost hybrid to receive a hug from her partner, before the black tail of the mother circles them. And watching him comfort the daughter, the father can not help but think and reflect on moment, his eyes gazing at his partner.

- "You see, that's why I grow more… frustrated each night. I fear for our future, but more than that, I can't stay silent when it is clear something close could tear us apart."

- "But what do you plan then? You are doing what you can, I am doing what I can. So what is the next step?"

- "…"

"I'm thinking of leaving, together."

Facing Shadedtail, his mate remains still for a long moment, confused and ever thinking about his proposal just like he does. However, the young ones have started to listen to them after a heart gained the comfort it needed, and so the snowy dragoness breaks the silence.

- "Leaving? Thinking of going so far away from the tower of night?" She asks, her gaze focused but devoid of judgement while Thoughtful gives to his parents a startled look.

- "I do, there is no excuse for me to hide that from you all."

- "I… I should be surprised, but I'm not. Father, we've been around for long enough to understand why you may wish to leave the tribe."

- "And what are your feelings on that my son?" Replies Shadedtail, his words catching the younger one off guard before he answers, his voice almost one of defeat but not truly.

- "I feel something weighting on my heart. What you are suggesting of giving up… But if it is so we can stay together, I think I accept it."

Hearing his son' clear voice until the last word, the older dragon respectfully watches the hybrid take his side, her wings and tail being more than enough to show devotion. And seeing the scene unfold in silence, her eyes following her mate completely lowering his head, the mother was wondering if he might cry before his voice is heard again.

- "And you Soberclaw, what do you think of leaving? Please do not filter what you have in your heart, I want that we hear everything, I can bear it."

- "…"

"To ask me to leave is to ask me to give up on my life now and build a new one. To abandon my tribe on a faithful night and leave behind the ones I worked with and those that counted on me…"

"But if the situation is dire enough, then maybe leaving the tribe is the solution to avoid a nightmare."

Having said that, Soberclaw steps forward and does not hesitate to embrace her mate, her wings quickly accepted and joined by that of her son. And soon, so does the daughter, completing the family that cares little that others are watching, while the children can be certain no one will let the world separate them...